Three weeks ago, New Haven native Bria Holmes (32) was a senior in college. Thursday she was driving to the basket against the reigning WNBA Player of the Year, Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky at the Mohegan Sun Arena. less

Three weeks ago, New Haven native Bria Holmes (32) was a senior in college. Thursday she was driving to the basket against the reigning WNBA Player of the Year, Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky at the ... more

Photo: Catherine Avalone — Register

Image 2 of 3

Bria Holmes (32) understands the WNBA game is a more physical one than college. Her willingness to battle down low has already drawn the praise of her coach Michael Cooper.

Bria Holmes (32) understands the WNBA game is a more physical one than college. Her willingness to battle down low has already drawn the praise of her coach Michael Cooper.

Photo: Catherine Avalone — Register

Image 3 of 3

New Haven’s Bria Holmes adjusting to life in WNBA

1 / 3

Back to Gallery

UNCASVILLE >> Three weeks ago, Bria Holmes was a college senior waiting for the phone call that would signify the start of her professional career. To one of the finest products in New Haven’s proud basketball history, it seems like ages ago.

Since that historic night, when she became the first Connecticut native selected in the first-round of the WNBA draft, there’s been little time to relax and smell the roses.

Holmes has flown from West Virginia to Connecticut to Atlanta and back to Connecticut. She’s endured her first professional training camp, which included two-a-day practices for four straight days, learning a brand new system and coaching philosophy while adjusting to competition against players bigger, better, faster and stronger than those in college.

“It’s been pretty tough,” Holmes said. “I’m just trying to work on my game. I mean, I’m learning from the best.”

To celebrate the three-week anniversary, Holmes found herself in the Atlanta Dream lineup for a second straight night, matched up against Chicago’s Elena Della Donne, the league’s reigning MVP, with roughly two dozen friends and family members looking on from the stands Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Her pro debut, which came during Atlanta’s exhibition loss to San Antonio a night earlier, included a surprise start. Forward Angel McCoughtry, a U.S. Olympian, is still overseas honoring an international commitment, allowing Dream coach Michael Cooper to get an extended look at Holmes, the player he targeted in the draft.

That night she led Atlanta with 25 minutes played, adding four rebounds and three steals. Yet it was rough sledding on offense. She shot 2-of-10 from the floor, missed her only two 3-point attempts, and finished with six points.

Over her 29 minutes on Thursday, she made just 1-of-7 for two points, but led the Dream with eight assists.

Cooper came away encouraged. Once the premier defensive player in the NBA with the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers championship teams of the 1980s, Cooper sees a bit of himself in Holmes, a talented offensive player who scored 2,001 points in a standout career at West Virginia, yet truly took pride in the defensive aspects of the game. He was thrilled when Holmes was still on the draft board when Atlanta’s turn came at No. 11 overall.

Holmes’ intro to the WNBA was a mixed bag. She couldn’t get shots to fall; couldn’t get calls from the referees on her signature slashes to the basket. She struggled to stay with Della Donne, though, to be fair, most everyone else in the league has the same problem.

Cooper understands there will be growing pains, but he liked the fire.

“One thing I have to tell the young kids that come to this level is they have a tendency to hang on each play,” Cooper said. “As a professional, you can’t hang on when you make a bad play, because the next play is ready to happen.”

In the second half of her debut, Holmes got an offensive rebound. The opposing center raked Holmes’ arm as she went to the hoop. Holmes converted the basket and got the foul shot.

“That play proved to me that she belongs,” Cooper said. “That there is a player who’s going to make good things happen for herself as well as her team.”

Holmes is expected to settle in as a small forward, with the ability to play shooting guard when needed, and as one of the first players off the bench. She’s already made an impression on teammates with her positive attitude and willingness to learn.

“She’s holding her own,” said Dream teammate Tiffany Hayes, a former UConn guard. “She’s still a rookie, but she’s holding her own. Of course, we’re taking her under our wing because she’s doing a good job. I think she’s focused on doing what she needs to do to stick around and help us win. I think she’ll be great.”

Holmes, who led Hillhouse High to three CIAC state championships and was a McDonald’s All-American, is relieved to have these first two preseason games in the books. It’ll serve as a jumping off point as she adjusts to competing against some of the best players in the world nightly.

“The pace of the game is really different,” Holmes said. “I feel it’s a bit more physical in the WNBA. We were a defense-first team at West Virginia, so I think I’m mentally and physically prepared for that. Overall, it’s a good fit for me.”

Chip Malafronte, the Register Sports Columnist, can be reached at cmalafronte@nhregister.com Follow Chip @ChipMalafronte on Twitter